Background: To date, the requirement of the neuroprotectant and cognitive enhancer is increasing. However, most of the available substances in the market still have the limitation efficacy and expensive. Therefore, the novel substance which is effective, cheap and easy to approach is required. Based on the neuroprotection and memory enhancing effects of substances possessing antioxidant activity, aforementioned effects of Pumpkin or Cucurbita moschata (C. moschata), a plant containing high contents of antioxidant, has been considered.

Objective:  To determine effect of C. moschata on spatial memory neuron density, oxidative stress and AChE activity in hippocampus.

Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats, weighing 180-200 g, were orally given the aqueous extract of C. moschata at doses of 50, 150 and 450 mg.kg^-1 BW for 28 days. The animals were assessed spatial memory using Morris water maze test every 7 days throughout the study period. At the end of study, the determination of neuron density, oxidative stress and AChE activity in hippocampus of the experimental were performed.

Results: All doses of extract enhanced memory but decreased MDA level in hippocampus. The decreased AChE activity in hippocampus was observed only in rats treated with the low and medium doses of extract whereas the elevation of SOD was observed only in the low dose of extract treated group. No significant change in neuron density was observed in rats treated with the plant extract at all dosage range used in this study. Our data suggested that the memory enhancing effect of C.moschata extract might be attributed partly to the decreased oxidative stress and the enhanced cholinergic function.

Conclusion:  C.moschata extract is the potential functional food to enhance memory which is cheap and easy to approach. However, further researches about the underlying mechanism and possible active ingredients are essential.

Key words:  Cucurbita moschata, memory, oxidative stress, acetylcholinesterase